Gmsp Foundation (god My Silent Partner Foundation)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £332,541 (2023/24 expenditure)
• Total Committed Since 2006: £13 million+
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: N/A (proactive identification model)
• Grant Range: £1,500 - £162,738 (based on 2020 data)
• Geographic Focus: UK and India
• Number of Partners: 43+ organizations

Contact Details

Website: https://www.gmspfoundation.org

Email: sonal@gmspfoundation.org

Phone: 020 8327 1330

Address: Regent House, Theobald Street, Borehamwood, WD6 4RS

Leadership Contact: Sonal Sachdev Patel, CEO

Overview

God My Silent Partner Foundation (GMSP Foundation) was established in 2006 by Ramesh and Pratibha Sachdev, British Indian entrepreneurs who built the nursing home business Lifestyle Care. Now led by their daughter Sonal Sachdev Patel, the foundation has committed over £13 million to grassroots organizations working with marginalized communities in the UK and India. GMSP is a family foundation that practices trust-based philanthropy, providing multi-year, unrestricted funding to strong grassroots organizations addressing domestic violence, homelessness, chronic hunger, health access, and economic empowerment. The foundation emphasizes “spiritual solidarity” - a belief in shared humanity that guides their approach to partnership. Recent strategic actions include launching the GMSP Akshaya Patra Kitchen in 2020 to address child hunger in the UK, and providing a 10% cost of living increase to all grantees in response to the 2022-23 economic crisis.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

GMSP Foundation provides unrestricted, multi-year funding rather than traditional fixed-term project grants. Based on 360Giving data from 2020, they distributed 34 grants totaling £727,407, with amounts ranging from £1,500 to £162,738.

Key Funding Streams:

• Core unrestricted funding for organizational operations
• Well-being grants for nonprofit leaders and teams (supporting mentoring, self-care, resilience)
• Emergency responsive funding (e.g., COVID-19 grants, cost of living support)
• Multi-year commitments allowing organizations to build reserves, invest in staff, and strengthen infrastructure

Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process. The foundation proactively identifies partners through internal research and networks.

Priority Areas

UK Focus:

• Domestic violence prevention and support services for Black, Asian and minoritized women
• Youth and adult homelessness
• Chronic hunger and food insecurity
• Support for refugees and immigrants
• Gender-based violence prevention

India Focus:

• Child protection and prevention of child sexual abuse
• Women's economic empowerment and entrepreneurship
• Health access for marginalized communities
• Human rights and workers' rights
• Inclusive education
• Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)

Cross-Cutting Priorities:

• Empowering women and girls as agents of change
• Supporting grassroots organizations led by those with lived experience
• Strengthening organizational infrastructure and sustainability
• Investing in leader well-being and capacity

What They Don't Fund

GMSP Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and does not fund:

• Organizations not already identified through their networks
• Large, well-established charities with diverse funding bases
• Short-term projects requiring restricted grants
• Capital appeals or building projects (not explicitly stated but inferred from approach)
• Organizations outside the UK and India

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees: The foundation has 3 trustees, none of whom receive remuneration. The Sachdev family maintains governance oversight.

Key Leadership:

• Sonal Sachdev Patel, CEO - Daughter of founders, formally took over leadership in 2015. She is also the inaugural Philanthropist in Residence at the Marshall Institute at the London School of Economics, works as an executive coach with philanthropists and senior leaders, and serves on the board of the Global Fund for Children UK Trust (joined 2023). Sonal has driven the foundation's evolution toward trust-based philanthropy and strategic, progressive approaches.

• Ramesh Sachdev, Co-Founder - Former accountant who came to Britain from Kenya and co-founded Lifestyle Care nursing home business in 1987. His philosophy: “God is my silent partner” and "10% of what you earn doesn't belong to you."

• Pratibha Sachdev, Co-Founder - Former headmaster of a nursery school in India before moving to the UK. Co-founded Lifestyle Care with Ramesh.

Key Quotes from Leadership:

Sonal Sachdev Patel: “We are all sparks from the same light, deserving of respect and honor” and “We give unrestricted funding because our NGO partners tell us this is what they need. We work with them to identify their strategic objectives but, ultimately, we have faith in them to make the right decisions.”

On their role as funders: “Our role as funders is to move quickly, to unlock as many resources as we can, and to not get in the way of progress.”

On partner relationships: "They're the ones we partner with and answer to."

Pratibha Sachdev: "10% of what you earn doesn't belong to you."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

GMSP Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation proactively identifies and reaches out to potential partners through internal research, trusted networks, and advisor recommendations.

According to their website: “We draw on our experience, networks and internal research to identify our partners, which results in long-term partnerships with grassroots organisations whose efforts are aligned with our priorities.”

Unsolicited applications are not accepted. Grant decisions are made through trustee discretion based on:

• Alignment with foundation values and priorities
• Strength of grassroots leadership
• Organizational sustainability and impact potential
• Recommendations from trusted advisors and networks
• Deep understanding of community needs

Getting on Their Radar

GMSP Foundation operates through a relationship-based model. While they don't accept unsolicited applications, the following approaches are documented:

Network Connections:

• GMSP maintains relationships with intermediary organizations like Edge Fund, which supports grassroots groups
• They work closely with sector networks in the domestic violence and homelessness sectors
• Sonal Sachdev Patel is active in philanthropy networks including LSE Marshall Institute, British Asian Trust, and Global Fund for Children UK

Sector Presence:

• Organizations working at the intersection of GMSP's priorities (women/girls empowerment, domestic violence, homelessness, hunger) in the UK and India
• Grassroots organizations led by people with lived experience of marginalization
• Organizations known for dynamic, capable leadership with entrepreneurial approaches

Foundation Philosophy:

• GMSP values getting out of the office and visiting partners in person
• As Sonal states: "Our vision of philanthropy is not about reading endless reports in our offices. It's local people who know what the answers are, and they deserve our respect and trust."
• They maintain trusted advisors who help identify potential partners

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation operates on a proactive identification model rather than application cycles. When the foundation identifies a potential partner, the timeline from initial contact to grant award varies based on relationship development and due diligence.

Existing partners receive multi-year commitments with ongoing renewals based on continued alignment and partnership strength.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable. Partnerships are ongoing, multi-year relationships rather than discrete grant cycles. Partners who receive funding typically maintain long-term relationships with the foundation.

Application Success Factors

Since GMSP Foundation operates through invitation and proactive identification, organizations cannot directly apply. However, understanding what GMSP values in their partners can inform whether your organization might be a potential fit:

Organizational Characteristics GMSP Seeks:

• Sonal emphasizes: "It's local people who know what the answers are"

• They look for leaders who can make strategic decisions independently

• Commitment to empowering women and girls
• Working with vulnerable, marginalized populations facing prejudice and discrimination
• Focus on UK and/or India

• They ask partners how they define “impact” or “success” rather than imposing metrics

• Build reserves
• Invest in team well-being
• Strengthen infrastructure
• “Stop having to work every weekend” and “Get some sleep” (actual criteria mentioned on website)

What GMSP Values in Partnerships:

• Trust over Reporting: Minimal bureaucratic requirements; faith in partner decision-making
• Long-term Commitment: Multi-year partnerships that allow organizations to plan strategically
• Holistic Support: Beyond funding, they offer pro bono legal aid, network connections, media promotion, and help leveraging additional funding
• Shared Humanity: Foundation seeks partners who share their values of “trust, love, and humility”

Recent Funding Examples:

UK partners include:

• Crisis (homelessness)
• Centrepoint (youth homelessness)
• Southall Black Sisters (domestic violence support for minoritized women)
• Ashiana (support for women facing forced marriage and honor-based violence)
• Imkaan (policy and advocacy addressing violence against Black and minoritized women)
• Asian Women's Resource Centre (domestic abuse support)
• Tender (domestic abuse prevention through arts)

India partners include:

• Aangan (child protection)
• Arpan (child sexual abuse prevention)
• Dasra (strategic philanthropy)
• Jan Sahas (workers' rights)
• Mann Deshi Foundation (women's entrepreneurship)

Common Thread: Small to medium-sized grassroots organizations with strong local leadership addressing systemic issues affecting marginalized populations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Not suitable for direct solicitation: GMSP does not accept unsolicited applications; they proactively identify partners
• Relationship-driven model: Focus on building visibility in relevant sector networks rather than direct approaches
• Unrestricted funding champions: If approached, GMSP offers rare multi-year, unrestricted funding that allows organizational flexibility
• Values-aligned partnership: Foundation seeks organizations that share their commitment to trust, equity, and empowering marginalized communities
• Family foundation with personal engagement: Leadership visits partners, builds relationships, and stays connected beyond grant-making
• Responsive to crises: Foundation has shown willingness to provide emergency support (COVID grants, cost of living increases) to existing partners
• Investment in leaders: Unique focus on well-being grants for nonprofit leaders and teams, recognizing burnout as a critical issue
• UK and India only: Clear geographic restriction to these two countries
• Women and girls priority: Core funding focus on projects empowering women and girls as agents of change

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Progress Foundation
• The Grove Trust
• The Timothy Franey Charitable Foundation
• Spiers Family Foundation Limited
• THE SAFERA FOUNDATION
• THE GOLDSMITHS' COMPANY CHARITY
• FINEGRANT LIMITED
• London Housing Foundation Ltd
• THE CHILDHOOD TRUST
• The Humanitarian Trust

References

1. GMSP Foundation Official Website - https://www.gmspfoundation.org
2. GMSP Foundation: Our Approach - https://www.gmspfoundation.org/approach
3. GMSP Foundation: Our Story - https://www.gmspfoundation.org/story
4. GMSP Foundation: Our Partners - https://www.gmspfoundation.org/partners
5. Charity Commission Register - God My Silent Partner Foundation (1113218) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1113218
6. 360Giving GrantNav - GMSP Foundation Grant Data - https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/GB-CHC-1113218
7. “From Humble Beginnings to Trust-Based Giving: The Journey of GMSP Foundation” - The Philanthropist - https://thephilanthropist.org/article/from-humble-beginnings-to-trust-based-giving-the-journey-of-gmsp-foundation
8. “Cost-of-living crisis: How one foundation is responding” - Alliance Magazine - https://www.alliancemagazine.org/blog/cost-of-living-crisis-how-one-foundation-is-responding/
9. “60 seconds with Sonal Sachdev Patel” - British Asian Trust - https://www.britishasiantrust.org/latest-updates/blogs/60-seconds-with-sonal-sachdev-patel/
10. “Ramesh and Pratibha Sachdev” - Indiaspora - https://indiaspora.org/philanthropy-leader/ramesh-and-pratibha-sachdev/